"To ask for my help at such a time. After all, your talk of responsibility," My dear partner said with a click of her tongue as she sat down on the wooden bench.

"I didn't even expect you to come. I would've been grateful for advice over the phone alone." I replied, sitting to her left upon the concrete ring encircling the indoor tree of the mall. It was around 9 o'clock when Myla arrived. After our call, I messaged her our location and a place to meet. I left Keith on the third floor, telling him I had to look for something in the lower levels, which led me here to the lobby of the first floor of the building. Few people remained as I saw many figures exiting the commercialized keep as closing time drew nearer. The main hall, which was once filled to the brim with smiling individuals, now only housed me, Myla, and a few trees basking in the pockets of luminance from the remaining lights and moonlight shining down from the imposing sky roof above us.

"So, what's so urgent that you had to call me here?" Myla asked in her usual cold tone.

"I could've told you over the phone, though you did get here pretty fast."

"I live nearby, and besides, it would've been better if you told me in person."

"Is it 'cause you don't want to hear my voice any more than what's necessary?" I said in a slightly teasing manner.

"No, it's because my phone's battery is dead." She replied with an annoyed look which I could still make out in the dimming light.

"Oh."

I sort of feel bad now.

"There's no time to get caught up on that now. What's the issue at hand?" Myla said as she put a hand below her chin to support it, facing me with a curious look as she did. While I found the words within me to adequately explain my blunder, I took the time to observe my partner in her newest form. Casual Myla. She donned a pink cotton hoodie with geometric shapes dotting its fabric, and a pair of black joggers covered her legs, a white stripe going down each pant leg. Her long ash-gray hair was tied up into a bun, messy tufts of hair protruding from it. The air around her had changed, but her stern look and cold voice gave me a strange comfort in my time of need.

So she can dress like that too, huh.

I thought before letting out a sigh and facing her with an anxious look. She replied with a raised eyebrow, curious as to my newest predicament.

"I... Might've made an oopsie..."

"Here we go," My dear partner said as her posture lowered and her eyes closed.

Have a little more faith than that, c'mon.

I swallowed my quip; as my expression became more serious. And I explained the evening that had come to pass to my partner.

"So, in short, you forced your expectations and "advice" onto an introverted young man who had no means of rebutting?"

"That's not what I said at all, but also kind of close," I admitted defeat as my gaze hit the floor and fiddled with my hands.

"I should've realized it sooner. Once we began walking around the mall more, he started talking less. It was as if he only spoke to ensure me he was listening, rather than actually speaking his mind."

"I see. From Mister Kirby's perspective, you told him everything he needed to do. But never gave him a chance to speak what he wanted to say." Myla continued, her eyes staring up into the moonlit sky as she remained in thought. Everything she had said was right. I lost track of my objective and ended up hurting someone who was already struggling. The worst-case scenario was that this would turn him away from the relationship entirely. But I wasn't going to let that happen.

"It seems you know that much already. If so, what's my reason for being here?" Myla asked, taking note of my realization.

"I told you already. I didn't ask you to come all the way here."

"And I told you that my phone's battery was low. If you wish to argue about this, we may continue tomorrow." Her sharp tone hushed whatever arguments I had, and thinking on it, if I had just agreed to her helping me sooner, I wouldn't have been in this bind in the first place.

Now I feel like I've inconvenienced two people at the same time. Three if you count me and four if you count Amanda.

I tallied up my wrongs as I thought of a reply to her question. I hesitated on making an excuse, one that painted my cry for help as more of a request for backup. Perhaps it was the atmosphere that made me feel more exposed, or my subconscious telling me that this was no time to hide. Whatever it was, I had to say something that I was really bottling within me.

"You said it yourself, right? The last time we had Amanda as a client, my emotions got the better of me. I just don't want that to happen for the third time. Me calling you over was so that you'd be there to slap some sense into me when I needed it. Hell, I actually feel a bit relieved you're here, as inconvenient as it might've been for you." I said in a subdued tone, not trying to ask for any sympathy from her or make it about myself. I only wanted to tell her my intentions and what I wanted to accomplish.

"It's not just that it's our job, I have a promise to keep, but I don't want that idealistic promise I conjured in my head to be a roadblock for Keith to have to scale." I continued as my gaze followed the moon that loomed above us. The white light struck me, putting my mistakes on display to what felt like the entire world. As I observed this, I heard the bench to me shift slightly, and footsteps made their way towards me as my partner now stood facing me head-on. She breathed a silent sigh as she raised her hand and lightly slapped me on my cheek.

Hey, that was too weak. It's like how my parents used to wake me up for school and then complain I was out cold.

I thought as I gave her a judging look, wondering if that was the best she could throw.

"If you have something to complain about. Please, do say it." Myla said, her irritated expression now in arms reach from me.

"Ah, no, sorry," I replied with a reserved tone, hoping to not draw any more of her ire.

Earlier she wanted me to save my complaints for tomorrow. Now she's ready to argue again. Pick a side, dammit.

"While I appreciate the honesty, moping around here won't solve the issue. You need to go back to him and hear him out. You can't burden Mister Kirby with those expectations. He already has a lot weighing on his mind that he's been bottling up to let you guide him. For now, you have to listen, hear what he wants to say, and don't give him more reasons to be quiet." My dear partner stated, an exasperated look present on her face.

"Right, I'll see what I can do. Wait, you're not coming with?" I asked in a surprised tone. I thought she wouldn't want to leave me alone after the mess I had made of the situation.

"You told me, did you not? This is your responsibility and something you should do on your own. If you want to make up for your mistakes, it's best I only aid you through advice and not through acting with you." She stated as the lamplight shined on her, complimenting her cold tone and expression that contrasted her warm statement. I didn't expect the reply, but from what I could gather, it was her trying to tell me that I shouldn't give up on my promise so easily. That I should dig my heels in and try again if what I was saying was what I truly desired.

"And in any case, you shouldn't sell yourself so short. It's not like you to be so modest and reserved."

"Hey, I was just starting to think you were being nice," I replied, but she let out an annoyed grumble and shook her head.

"What I mean is, that while we work with AI, we're still humans, after all. Our emotions can still blind our judgment, and your situation is unlike any I've witnessed. To see this mistake as something that could've been avoided so easily is overconfidence at best and ignorance at worst." Her face took a more tranquil look, one that told me she considered my circumstances enough to console me like this. I held in a laugh that desperately tried to leak out of me.

"What is it now?" My dear partner asked as her familiar coldness returned.

"It's not like you to be so nice either, y'know?" I replied with a friendly smile as I felt a weight lifted from my chest.

"Would you prefer me to take my advice back?" Her gaze sharpened once more, an annoyed voice entering my ears.

"No, that's not it. It's just that you've been really hard to read now and yesterday. One moment you're thoughtful and considerate. The next, we're at each other's throats again. Are you really my partner?" I asked in a teasing tone, both to lighten up the mood. And inquire on her peculiarities that I had observed.

"Yes, it really is me. I just never had a reason to show you." She said with a smirk, uncommon to her usual array of expressions. I didn't know if she truly did have a side to her like this; or if this was an excuse to hide her ulterior motives, and part of me still wondered if I simply didn't notice. Whatever it was, I at least appreciated her kindness.

Those idiots on the internet were right. Casual is indeed for the win.

I was about to make a few more quips to continue our banter when I felt a small hand placed upon my back.

"Now go. It's best not to keep him waiting." Myla said as she removed her hand from me. The very same one that brought my senses back now urging me to go forth and redeem myself. As she did, the soft pink cloth of her hoodie grazed my arm. Once more contrasting with her normally rough personality and harsh demeanor. She now stood beside me, and I could make out her face more from a closer angle. Her long straight hair, while tied up, was messy in some parts, reminiscent of someone who just got out of bed. Her eyes gleamed in the light and shone an amber hue, still vibrant though I could tell, also tired. I didn't know if she normally wore make-up. I always sucked at noticing that, but her face seemed much more relaxed, or maybe it was because she was sleepy. Observing all of this and thinking about her words of wisdom to me made the temperature in my face rise, something I never once would've thought possible.

I really am going insane, huh.

As I swallowed that thought and vigorously shook my head to compose myself, I stood up in a hurry.

"Right. This time I'll do it right. I'll listen to Keith and make sure it isn't a perfect date, but a date he can be proud he went on." I said with a resolute smile, facing up to hide my slightly reddened expression.

"Your recovery outstands me, but determination alone will get you nowhere. Now go. I'll stay here so you can tell me what events transpire." My dear partner replied as she let out a yawn.

"You're not going home? I would've thought you'd leave right after."

"Spare me your concern. You have other things to worry about, and besides, I have a book to look for,"

"Right, sorry I couldn't fit in the time to look for it," I said before walking towards the elevator and calling it. Before I left, I glanced back at my partner. She sat on the same spot I was with her hands behind her back, supporting herself. Her gaze faced directly up, and the moonlight landed on her perfectly. The dimming lights and lack of any persons left in the hall made her look like an art piece brought to life once more. The expression on her face, while nearly emotionless, felt melancholic. A contrast to her earlier behavior.

I wonder if there's more to it than what she said.

I would've liked to continue pondering on it, but I couldn't waste any amount of time or energy at this point. I had a mistake to rectify, and I had to prepare myself. I took a few deep breaths and cleared my mind to make room for a plan. As I finished collecting myself, the doors of the elevator opened, revealing the lobby of the third floor. The lights were still on, but a quiet atmosphere surrounded the area. In the middle of it all stood a young man. Still entranced by the pond of fish in the center.

Redemption arcs, I never liked them. But just this once, I'll dance to that tune.